A Time to Love

Chapter 14

   Sarah's eyes were wide, like a rabbit in headlights as she stared out the window. Frozen to the seat like she was encased in concrete, she unfastened her seatbelt but a force kept her grounded.

'Would you like me to come in with you?' Zander asked upon seeing the hesitation evident in her eyes.

Sarah unclenched her muscles and relaxed against the seat. She exhaled slowly and shifted slightly as she released the door handle. 'No I think it'll confuse dad more if he meets you now. Besides, it's better that I do this on my own.'

'Ok' Zander accepted as she stepped out of the car. 'I'll wait here for you. Take as long as you need' he added, to ensure there was no reason for her to feel under pressure.

***

'Hello love. Your mother never said you were coming' Stephen said as he gripped onto the walking frame and slowly lifted himself up.

He held out one arm invitingly and leaned all his weight on Sarah as she obliged to his offer of a hug.

'I wanted to surprise you' she answered with a jocular smile that followed up to her eyes. 'So, how are you doing?' she asked immediately.

'Oh, you know' he picked up the newspaper and began to read, failing to elaborate on his response as his face hid behind the pages.

Sarah breathed and opened her mouth, ready to speak again but the entrance of a nurse put her words back in her mouth before they had a chance to leave. 'Come on Stephen, it's time for your exercises.' The nurse stood in front of him and offered both her hands, for which he grabbed and pulled himself up with.

'Oh' he suddenly remembered 'you don't mind if my daughter stays to watch?'

'Of course not'

Sarah comfortably rested herself in the armchair and watched as her father placed one foot in front of the other. Unaided, he made it from his chair to the wall a few metres away, stumbling slightly but managing to steady his balance until he was safe in the hands of the nurse.

'Dad!' Sarah squealed excitedly 'you can walk.' She threw her arms around his shoulders with so much force that the balance he had worked so hard for was compromised until he was safely grounded by Sarah.

'Sorry' she said as she helped him sit down again 'does mum know about this?'

'No' he shook his head 'keep it to yourself for now. You're not the only one who can do surprises.'

Sarah sat with her father for another hour, telling him all about how things were going at home. Noticing the apparently quick change in the condition of his memory, Sarah made a sharp decision.

'Dad' she began 'I've got something to tell you and the next time I visit, I'll ask you what I said to see if you remember.'

'Ok?' she asked after a short silence. Her father nodded to indicate he had understood.

'Well, the thing is' she pressed her palms together. 'I'm... I've been, erm.'

'Spit it out girl' her father chuckled.

'I've been seeing someone. A man. His name's Zander Riley, you know his name.'

'Oh well' he answered casually.

It was a short while later that Sarah prepared to leave, kissing her father goodbye and promising to visit again soon. 'It's Sarah, isn't it?' a voice asked as she reached the main door.

'Yeah' was her answer as she turned to see the nurse who had been treating her father. 'Is everything alright?'

'Everything's fine. In fact, your dad's recovering so quick that we might be able to send him home soon.'

Sarah's eyes welled up as the joy filled her body. 'It might be best not to tell anyone else yet. We don't want to give anyone false hope.'

'Another secret to keep' Sarah commented.

***

Zander lifted his head off the head rest and straightened himself as the car door opened. 'Hey' he answered with a yawn and stretch when she got into the car. 'How is he?'

'Sorry, did I wake you?' Sarah asked, ignoring his question, she pulled her seatbelt over her shoulder.

'No, it's fine, I went for a little walk earlier and it was just a bit more strenuous than I expected' he started up the car engine but still looked at her, hopefully.

'Dad's fine, great in fact. He's doing better than they expected, and he could get home soon.'

'That's brilliant' Zander looked over his shoulder as he checked for obstructions before reversing the car out of the gravel car pa,rk belonging to the convalescent home.

'Yeah' Sarah agreed 'only don't say anything to anyone. My mum doesn't know yet'

'You know I wouldn't' he sniffled and blinked his eyes to rid them of the tiredness. Noticing the lingering silence and the questioning look in her eyes, he asked 'What's wrong?'

'I was just thinking, how would like to meet him- my dad? We could have a proper meal together at mine. Just as soon as he's fit enough.'

They were just abut to pull up outside Sarah's house, she had only recently allowed him to drop her off and pick her up at her door, now that they were "official."

'Sounds good. There's just one thing.'

'What's that?'

'You come and meet my lot first. I'll cook us something.'